Help with independent and dependent variables in biology PLS HELP!?

Question

we had to do this exp and i cannot figure out what the independent and dependent variables are.

we tested to see if chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis by testing starch production in variegated leaves that were exposed to sunlight.

we boiled the leaves in water and in methylated spirits, to remove the chlorophyll which would interfer with the iodine staining, before staing the leaf. obviously the green parts had starch because rthe have chlorophyll therefore starch is necessary for photosynthesis BUT

i cannot figure out what the independent and dependent variables are.. please help me!!!

Answer 1

First off the meanings:

- Independent: A variable that we can change. A variable that isn't dependent on anything.

- Dependent: A variable that we can't change. A variable that depends on the independent variables!

Independent: Chlorophyll! We can change the amount of chlorophyll by knowing what parts of the leaf are more concentrated with chlorophyll than the other. You could also say the sunlight is another independent variable since we can alter how much exposure of the sunlight a plant receives.

Dependent: Starch! Simple the amount of starch present is proportional to how much chlorophyll we have since it is something known to exist in regions where the leaf undergoes photosynthesis!  

Does this help?